Word choice

Find the right term to use in your UI copy.

Use these preferred words and terms

Use these words and terms in the scenarios described in the following table:

Word	Usage notes
add	Use for establishing a new relationship. Often used in create-then-add scenarios. Create a dashboard, then add a visualization. In button labels, always follow add by an object. Remove is the correct opposite.
cancel	Use to stop an action without saving pending changes.
can't	Use to indicate you don't have the ability to do something. Often confused with unable.
create	Use for creating an object from scratch. In button labels, always followed by an object. Do not use create new. Delete is the correct opposite.
delete	Use when deleting data that users can no longer retrieve. Create is the correct opposite.
edit	Don't use change or modify. Edit is the better choice for localization.
enter	Use when the user enters text. Don't use type.
later	Use when referring to versions of the product. For example, Elastic Stack 8.13 and later.
open	Use when opening an application or program. Don't use launch.
press	Use press for keyboard keys. Don't use hit.
remove	Use when removing a relationship, but not permanently deleting the data. For example, you remove a visualization from a dashboard. Add is the correct opposite.
select	Select is preferred over choose.
use	Use instead of utilize and make use of.
view	Use instead of see because view is more inclusive.

Avoid these words and terms

This section includes terms that you should avoid in most instances. These terms might be offensive, non-inclusive, unclear, or unnecessary. Use the alternate suggestions in the following tables or a more specific term.

Latin abbreviations

Latin abbreviations can be unclear. Use the following suggestions instead:

Word	Usage notes
e.g.	Use for example or such as instead.
i.e.	Use that is instead.
via	Use with, by using, or through instead.

Directional language

Directional language does not meet accessibility requirements and you should avoid it, especially as the only way to find an element in the UI. Use the following suggestions instead:

Word	Usage notes
above	Use a link, previous, or preceding instead.
below	Use a link or following instead

Nouns created from verbs

Avoid using nouns created from adjectives or verbs. These words often make text unnecessarily complex. For example:

• Use choose instead of make a choice.
• Use register instead of complete your registration.
• Use investigate instead of conduct an investigation.

General words and terms to avoid

Avoid the following words and terms, and use the suggestions instead:

Word	Usage notes
abort	Use shut down, cancel, or stop instead.
as well as	Use and instead.
blacklist	Use blocked list instead.
boot	Use start or run instead.
bottom left, bottom right	Use lower left or lower right instead. Hyphenate when using as an adjective. For example, lower-left corner.
choose	Use select instead. See Words for interacting with UI
disable	Use turn off, block, or hide.
enable	Use turn on or allow.
easy, easily	It can be frustrating for users to think that something is easy, but then struggle to do the task. Typically the same meaning can be conveyed without this word.
execute	Use run or start instead.
hack	For a noun, use tip or work-around instead. For a verb, use configure or modify.
hit	For a noun, use visits (as in web visits). For a verb, use select or press.
hear, hear about	Use learn instead.
impact	Don't use impact as a verb. Use affect instead.
in order to	Use simple verbs like to instead.
invalid	Use not valid or incorrect instead.
just	Don't use before a command, like "just click here."
launch	Use open instead.
ok	Don't use when labeling buttons. Use words that explain the action instead, for example, Delete rule.
normal, normally	Use usual or typical instead. For normally, use usually, typically, or generally instead.
please	In most cases, please is unnecessary. Only use when the user must wait or do something inconvenient.
simple, simply	Unnecessary because it doesn't add any information or value.
sorry	Only use sorry in error messages that cause serious problems for the user.
success	Unnecessary because success is generally implied.
terminate	Use stop or exit instead.
type	Use enter because there is typically more than one way to enter text.
top left, top right	Use upper left or upper right instead. Hyphenate when using as an adjective. For example, upper-left corner.
utilize	Don't use utilize when you mean use.
whitelist	Use allow list instead.

Use caution with these words and terms

These words and terms might be appropriate in some situations and inappropriate in others. Only use them when appropriate.

Word	Usage notes
app, application	Use only when needed for clarity. Otherwise, a Kibana application name can stand alone. App is a well-known abbreviation for application and is preferred.
begin	Use context to decide between begin and start. For example, begin a procedure, begin an analysis, or begin an installation are common phrases. Similarly, start a program, start an engine, or start a timer are frequently used. Start is considered less formal than begin. End is the correct opposite of begin.
can	Use for capability. Rewrite as an action if possible. For example, instead of you can add... use add....
click	Acceptable to use when describing mouse actions. Otherwise, use verbs that work with multiple devices, such as select.
clone	Use when creating a copy that is linked to the original. Often confused with copy and duplicate.
copy	Use when the file is added to a clipboard and can be pasted in a new location. Often confused with clone and duplicate.
disable	Don't use to describe something that is broken. Use inactive, unavailable, deactivate, turn off, or deselect, depending on the context.
duplicate	Use when immediately creating a copy of an object in the same location as the original. Often confused with copy and clone.
kill	Use cancel or stop unless the actual command is kill.
may	Use may for permissibility. Use can for capability. Use might for possibility.
start	Use context to decide between start and begin. For example, start a program, start an engine, or start a timer are common phrases. Similarly, begin a procedure, begin an analysis, or begin an installation are frequently used. Start is considered less formal than begin.
unable	Unable means not being able to perform an action. Often confused with cannot.